Look out, look up: National Grid issues warning to Dorset farmers

The operator of the country’s electricity network is urging Dorset farmers to “look out, look up” and stay safe around electrical equipment as part of Farm Safety Week, which begins today until 26 July.

National Grid says every year it is called to incidents where farm vehicles collide with overhead power lines. It estimates that at least one agricultural accident involving overhead lines is reported every day in the UK.

In one incident, a farmer near Whimple in Devon hit an electricity line pole with his tractor. The tractor driver didn’t realise he had clipped the pole with his trailer and continued dragging it for another six metres until it came down on top of him, with a steel cross arm penetrating the cab roof.

Fortunately, the driver escaped uninjured by jumping clear of the tractor.

With farm machinery increasing in size, National Grid warns that accidents could become more likely.

Paul Woodward, safety manager for National Grid Electricity Distribution, said: “Every year, our engineers and technicians are called to incidents involving farming equipment and overhead power lines.

“Accidents involving the electricity supply can have devastating consequences, so it’s really important that farmers ‘look out’ and ‘look up’ – particularly when working with big or heavy machinery.

“We are committed to ensuring that farm workers have the knowledge and resources they need to get home safe every day and will continue to work with farming communities in Dorset and across the country to reduce incidents involving our power lines.”